AACN News—March 2009—Certification

Vol. 26, No. 3, MARCH 2009

New PCCN Test Plan Slated for June

The new PCCN Test Plan based on the most recent Progressive Care Study of Practice is available online with explanations of the plan’s changes. The revised test plan will be implemented on PCCN test forms in June 2009. This advance information may be helpful to those who offer review courses so they will have time to update their curriculum, and for those candidates who wish to test after May 2009. The paper and pencil exams at NTI will be based on the current test plan, not the new one. The PCCN Print Practice Exam and the PCCN Self-Assessment Exam (SAE) are being revised based on the new PCCN Test Plan and will be available for purchase this spring. For more information, visit www.certcorp.org > Certification News.

Renewal by Synergy CERPs Countdown

Renewal by Synergy CERPs will be fully implemented by Jan. 1, 2010. If you are not familiar with the changes in the CCRN/PCCN renewal program, please visit the Certification Web site and take advantage of the resources that explain the changes and new requirements. The most comprehensive source of information is Renewal by Synergy CERPs At-a-Glance. The Quick Reference List, bookmark, fact sheet and PowerPoint presentation with narration are also available at www.certcorp.org > CCRN or PCCN > Certification Renewal > Renewal by Synergy CERPs.

April 1 Is Application Deadline for Certification Exam at NTI

A paper and pencil version of the CCRN, PCCN, CCNS, ACNPC and CNML specialty exams and the CMC (Cardiac Medicine) and CSC (Cardiac Surgery) subspecialty exams will be offered at NTI 2009 on May 18. Payment of exam fees must accompany the special NTI exam application and be submitted to AACN postmarked by April 1, 2009.

For more information, go to www.certcorp.org > Certification News.

The CCRN Item Writing Committee met in January to write items for the adult, pediatric and neonatal exams based on the new CCRN Test Plan developed from results of the 2008 Critical Care Study of Practice. The new test plan will be made public in Fall 2009; changes in the test forms will occur in early 2010. Members of the committee include from front to back (left row) Kelly Paddock, Tito Tubog, Elisa Giglio-Siudzinski, Robert Dorman, Linda Lillard, Anna Walker, (right row) Marcia Belcher, Nathan Brezovic, Lori Avaisusini, Beth McCleery, Kristin Hittle and Lisa Milonovich.